EDITORIAL - Dysfunction in the NFA

Garlic prices have softened but are still steep. Rice and sugar prices keep inching their way up, refusing to toe the official line of government mouthpieces about sliding prices. Will the nation’s food price woes ever ease? With the Christmas season approaching, this looks unlikely in the near future.

Many factors have been blamed for rising food prices, with the congestion in Manila’s ports compounding the problem in recent months. Analysts have blamed unabated smuggling, hoarding and price manipulation by groups operating like cartels. 

These activities are believed to persist with the connivance of certain public officials. Whether or not the observation is accurate, accusations of corruption are perceived to have driven Arthur Juan to quit as administrator of the National Food Authority. Juan was appointed to the NFA post only last June, after Orlan Calayag submitted a courtesy resignation to food security adviser Francis Pangilinan.

Calayag, a former chief of staff of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, was named NFA chief in January 2013. He replaced Lito Banayo, who quit in September 2012 to run for Congress. Banayo has been accused of rice smuggling in Subic. Calayag had his share of controversy, with critics of his appointment saying he is a naturalized American citizen.

Now Juan himself faces accusations of extorting P15 million from a rice trader who was charged by the NFA with profiteering and violation of the agency’s rules. He cited “failing health” in his irrevocable resignation, which he submitted Thursday. The continuing dysfunction in the NFA can only further derail efforts to improve food security and make the country more competitive with its neighbors in agricultural production.

In several speeches in 2013, President Aquino had trumpeted that the country would become a rice exporter starting this year as he praised the performance of Alcala. Today the President, who does not have the heart to fire an old friend, has had to appoint an adviser on food security, with Alcala losing the key agencies of his department. Yet NFA scandals persist, and there seems to be no other way for food prices to go but up.

Congress may have to step in, by raising penalties for acts or omissions that endanger the nation’s food security, including price and supply manipulation. At the same time, the nation expects more decisive action from President Aquino in coaxing better performance from his agriculture officials.